You probably know many of the substances that are poisonous to cats: household cleaners, antifreeze, insecticides. There are a few more that may surprise you, like aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen, and certain household plants. If your kitty nibbles on a few leaves she may just have an upset stomach, but worst case scenario, it could be fatal. Lilies, for example, cause severe kidney damage and can cause death after just a few hours.
Other common poisonous plants include:
- Marijuana
- Sago Palm
- Tulip/Narcissus bulbs
- Azalea/Rhododendron
- Oleander
- Castor Bean
- Cyclamen
- Kalanchoe
- Yew
- Amaryllis
- Autumn Crocus
- Chrysanthemum
- English Ivy
- Peace Lily (AKA Mauna Loa Peace Lily)
- Pothos
- Schefflera
It’s important to know the signs of poisoning so you can take action right away. If your cat starts vomiting, drooling excessively, staggering, struggling with breathing, or losing consciousness, call your veterinarian. He’ll want a thorough description of what your cat ate as well as what symptoms you noticed. If you can’t get in touch with your vet, call the National Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You’ll have to pay $60 on your credit card as a consultation fee. Be prepared to share the species, breed, age, sex, weight, symptoms, and information about the poison ingested.
To be safe you should have a first-aid kit handy:
- A bottle of hydrogen peroxide, 3 percent USP to induce vomiting
- Turkey baster, bulb syringe or large medicine syringe to administer peroxide
- Saline eye solution
- Artificial tear gel to lubricate eyes after flushing
- Mild grease-cutting dishwashing liquid for bathing an animal after skin contamination
Tags: cat poisoning
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